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Visteon Occupation Ends, Struggle Continues

Peter Marshall | 10.04.2009 09:11 | Globalisation | Workers' Movements

Visteon workers came out of the Enfield plant at midday on Thursday 9 April in compliance with the High Court Order. Pictures Copyright (C) 2009, Peter Marshall, all rights reserved.

Supporters arrive to show solidarity with the occupiers demanding 'Ford Terms'
Supporters arrive to show solidarity with the occupiers demanding 'Ford Terms'

Students show solidarity
Students show solidarity

Opposite the gate
Opposite the gate

One of various unions banners in support
One of various unions banners in support

Fraternal embraces as the occupiers emerge
Fraternal embraces as the occupiers emerge

Each of the workers was greeted by convenor Kevin Nolan
Each of the workers was greeted by convenor Kevin Nolan

35 year service award
35 year service award

Ford Pay Up!
Ford Pay Up!

Kevin Nolan, left. The struggle continues.
Kevin Nolan, left. The struggle continues.

The crowd listens
The crowd listens

Keven Nolan carried
Keven Nolan carried


Emotions ran high as the workers occupying the Visteon factory in Ponders End, Enfield came out in compliance with the court order at midday on Friday. They were embraced by Unite convenor, Kevin Nolan and others and cheered by a crowd of several hundred who had come to give support. Robert Benham came out holding is 35-year long service award, received last September. After all the workers had emerged, Nolan was carried along the street on the shoulders of two men.

The occupiers thanked the many students, trade unionists and others who had supported them throughout, and announced their plans to keep up the fight by continuous picketing of the two factory gates in an attempt to prevent administrators KPMG from removing machinery. They are expected to gut the factory and sell its high-tech equipment at cut price to China.

Unite continues to give full support to the Visteon workers, and joint general secretary Derek Simpson flew to America with Nolan and others for meetings with Visteon senior management earlier in the week. Further meetings with Visteon are expected next week in an undisclosed location, and there are hopes of some progress.

More pictures on My London Diary shortly:
 http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2009/04/apr.htm

Peter Marshall
- e-mail: petermarshall@cix.co.uk
- Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk